Labour to Reconsider Protest After Emergency Talks with Tinubu, Governors

Eshiorameh Sebastian, Abuja

The planned nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the country’s insecurity is now under review following emergency consultations between its leadership, President Bola Tinubu, and state governors.

The late night meeting at the State House was convened on Tuesday as a last-ditch effort to address grievances and potentially avert the mass action scheduled for today.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero stated that the labour delegation would return to its internal deliberations to reassess its position.

“The meeting with the president was strictly consultative. We have to go back to the drawing board and digest all that Mr. President said to us and move forward from there”, Ajero said.

He indicated that a final decision would be communicated later today after the NLC concludes further discussions, including a scheduled meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

“By tomorrow you will get the outcome,” Ajaero confirmed, emphasising that the decision rests with the organisation’s collective leadership.

Echoing the consultative tone, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, described the engagement as a constructive dialogue in the national interest.

“Consultation is going on. We are here to serve the country—both the labour, the government, and the governed—we are all working in service to the nation,” Uzodinma said.

The Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, noted that the NLC, as citizens, had requested the audience with the President, which was promptly granted.

The NLC had initially called on workers and civil society allies to stage peaceful protests today, December 17, following a resolution by its National Executive Council on December 4, to demand concrete government action against the worsening security situation nationwide.